Page 58 of Only You

Jack sighed. “I’ll dance with you on one condition that we leave afterward.”

She rolled her eyes. “Party pooper.”

“That’s my final offer. Take it or leave it.”

Kayla stared at him for a long moment, thinking about how handsome he looked tonight. On second thought, he always looked handsome, at least to her. “Deal,” she said.

Jack stood and offered her his hand.

Without asking, she lifted his glass and took a drink, before placing her hand in his. Jack led her onto the dance floor, where they joined Ryan and Josie.

“Hey,” Ryan said.

“Everything okay?” Josie asked Kayla.

“Yes! I’m having a fun … won … funderful time!”

“We’re leaving after one dance,” Jack firmly stated.

Ryan and Josie nodded and returned their attention to each other.

When Footloose came on, Kayla raised her arms overhead and squealed. “I love this song!” She closed her eyes and lost herself in the music, her body moving in time to the beat. After a moment, she opened her eyes and saw Jack staring at her. Unlike her and the rest of the crowd, he was barely moving. Kayla shifted closer to him and planted her hands on his waist. “C’mon. Move those hips!” She took Jack’s hands and placed them on her own hips. “Follow my lead.” Kayla shook her hips and waved her hands in the air. Then she did a little spin and crashed into his hard chest.

“Whoa.” He looped his arms around her waist and steadied her.

Kayla giggled. “I got a little dizzy.”

“That’s what I was worried about.”

Kayla planted her hands on his chest for support. The scent of his cologne wafted up, and she breathed it in. The music played at a fever pitch, but she slowed down and folded into Jack’s arms.

“I’ve got you,” he said.

She leaned her head against his warm, solid chest. Despite all the noise and activity, she suddenly felt very sleepy. If Jack weren’t holding her up, she might have crumpled to the floor.

“I’m taking her home,” Jack announced to their friends when the song ended.

Kayla peered at Ryan and Josie without really seeing them. “Goodnight,” she mumbled.

“Take good care of her,” Josie said to Jack.

“I will,” he replied.

With one arm around her waist, he led her back to their table and helped her into her coat. The next thing she knew, they were inside his car, but she didn’t remember going there.

“Doing okay?” Jack asked.

“Mmm.” It was all she could manage, since her head felt fuzzy.

“Let me know if I need to pull over.”

“Mmm-hmm.” She leaned her forehead against the cool window and closed her eyes. Soon, she was being lifted, and her eyes fluttered open. Kayla glanced up at the starry sky. “Jack?”

“Hold on to me,” he said while fumbling with the house key.

“I can walk.”

“No, you can’t. We tried that.”